US 11,697,854 B2
Method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge and device for conducting the method
Jens Mahrholz, Braunschweig (DE); Uwe Schwanke, Braunschweig (DE); and Dirk Spangenberg, Badersleben (DE)
Assigned to BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG, Braunschweig (DE)
Filed by BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG, Braunschweig (DE)
Filed on Mar. 13, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/817,980.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2019 106 842.8 (DE), filed on Mar. 18, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0299790 A1, Sep. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. C13B 30/06 (2011.01); B04B 11/02 (2006.01); B04B 11/04 (2006.01); B04B 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC C13B 30/06 (2013.01) [B04B 11/02 (2013.01); B04B 11/04 (2013.01); B04B 13/00 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge,
which is employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor,
wherein the magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material,
with variable control values in a control device of the centrifuge,
is hereby characterized
in that one or a plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways,
in that these measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma,
in that the measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge,
in that the control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma, and
in that the control device adjusts the variable control values of the centrifuge as a function of this evaluation,
in that a regulation established in advance in the control routines is provided as follows:
filling the centrifuge with more than 50% and less than 70% of a maximum filling load and at a predetermined first constant rotational speed (step V1);
after filling the centrifuge, increasing the rotational speed (step V2) to a second constant rotational speed (step V3);
maintaining the second constant rotational speed (step V3) for a predetermined period of time; and
after maintaining the second constant rotational speed (step V3), increasing the rotational speed (step V4) to a third constant rotational speed (step V5).